Congressman Rips Airbnb Harlem Tours For Promoting Gentrification

Airbnb responded by saying a study which claims Airbnb causes gentrification in black neighborhoods has been debunked. HARLEM, NY — Harlem's Congressman Adriano Espaillat is picking a fight with online rental giant Airbnb following the announcement of the company's new "Harlem Experience Tours." Espaillat, in a letter to Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky, accuses the company of "exotifying our community for corporate profit." “Airbnb’s ‘Harlem Experiences’ platform sounds like it was tailor made to promote the rapid gentrification of our community," Espaillat said in the letter.
Espaillat also railed against Airbnb for lobbying against affordable housing laws in New York City and its poor treatment of black hosts compare to white ones.